Will The Android Market Be More Appealing To Developers Than The App Store?

from the let-freedom-ring dept

In the past month, it has become clear that Apple, through their App Store, is going to exercise a lot of control over the programs that iPhone users download. The list of removed App Store downloads include Tetris clones, harmless but expensive novelties, movie listings and useful wireless applications. Although many have sung the praises of the new system, this trend of contingent generativity - Jonathan Zittrain's term for intermediaries exerting control over new creativity - has some worrying implications. An ecosystem with perfect enforceability of rules will come to preempt the creativity which comes from the edge (and even piracy). If developers worry that their applications will be shut down by an overzealous enforcement organization (there is no evidence Apple is pulling applications after anything more than a third-party complaint), then innovation will stagnate.

Google seems to understand this. In announcing their competing service, the Android Market, the Android team notes "We chose the term "market" rather than "store" because we feel that developers should have an open and unobstructed environment to make their content available." Application creators will be as free to post information as videographers are to post to YouTube. Although the lack of review before posting doesn't mean Google will not remove applications if complaints are made, their ethic of freedom suggests they see mobile applications in the same light as the Internet: creators will build unanticipated, useful applications if given the chance to experiment freely.

Reader Comments

this is just shown over and over...

As Apple continues to annoy customers with their lock down policies and high prices, overhyping new products and underdelivering in true functionality... Their cult-like following is coming to an end.
I talk to more and more people that are tired of Apple's snobbery and elitist attitude, and as we see more and more people shown that Macs aren't the only cool computer out there we have more people able to make informed decisions- not decisions based on hype.

The Apple App Store is anti-net neutrality FULLY realized, and I cant believe more people arent up in arms about it.

In order for a developer to install an app - even on his own iPhone - he needs to digitally sign his code and register his iPhone as a development device - there is no other option for distribution or sales available to him except the app store.

The App Store then not only taxes every app sold, but also has to approve each one individually. They then know who wrote every app, and also know every single person who downloaded it.

They are the gatekeeper, the walled garden, whatever you want to call it - the App Store is all of our net neutrality fears come true.

Even the wireless providers don't tax apps and track application developers and users!

I can't wait to get an Android phone. I'm not going to get a Windows based one, and Apple's App Store is starting to aggravate me. iPhones are the best phones out there right now, but once the market for these touchphones matures, iPhones won't offer the uniqueness or advantages in ease-of-use anymore. Sure, Apple tends to get user interfaces right, and creates things that are not only useful, but easily usable. However, there's no way I'd get an iPhone if Android was a close 2nd best.

Openess is overrated

Yes, Apple store is "closed". It's closed in exactly same way as any other (software or hardware) store is "closed" - owner choose what goods to offer.
The whole buzz around Android is extremely overrated. Want openness to develop/distribute - there's tiny company called "Nokia". Symbian allow to install unsigned application while user is warned over potential risk.
There's about 1M Nokia devices sold EVERY DAY. iPhone is irrelevant for all except (maybe) US market.

the iphone tax?

First, Google hasn't announced any kind of payment information about the Android 'market'.

Second, obviously, nobody here has tried to list a Java app or a Windows Mobile app with one of the cell phone companies or the couple of third-party stores. If they did, they would know that they would be luck if the 'tax' was ONLY 50%. Some of them are over 60% [as in, 60% for them, 40% for you, the developer]. And you think they let you list an app for $1.00? Only if they keep $0.99.

And don't forget, your support costs will be higher for Android, because you can't count on a specific input method, or screen size, or even if specific libraries are available on the phone your customer has.

Re: the iphone tax?

And don't forget, your support costs will be higher for Android, because you can't count on a specific input method, or screen size, or even if specific libraries are available on the phone your customer has.

"Libraries" will not be a problem, any more than there is a problem with "libraries" on iPhone given the possibility that not everyone upgrades at the same time. In Android, libraries are either in the OS, or bundled with your application, so there are no additional variables to worry about.

With regards to input method or screen size, that problem holds true for each and every smartphone platform except iPhone, because each and every other smartphone platform actually supports more than one phone. This issue, therefore, is not unique to Android.

I can't get too worked up about iPhone app restrictions because it is a proprietary phone. People seem to hold Apple to a different standard than other phone manufacturers. Do you have an absolute right to install whatever you want on your Nokia ? You either take what the vendor gives you or look elsewhere. I use the iphone because it it the first phone I have ever owned that had new major functionality appear over time, and a lot of it is very useful.

The article mentions the "movie listing" app that was removed. I presume this is referring to Boxoffice, which is still there, just under a new name "Now Playing". It's a great app.